The Capital's Unlikely Pals: Obama and Senate's 'Dr. No'

By

Laura Meckler

Updated Feb. 11, 2011 12:01 a.m. ET

The room was packed with dignitaries last week as President Barack Obama addressed the annual National Prayer Breakfast. But Mr. Obama singled out one person—Sen. Tom Coburn—as a particular friend and "brother in Christ."

"I keep praying that God will show him the light, and he will vote with me once in a while," Mr. Obama told the crowd, to laughter. "It's going to happen, Tom!" he added playfully....